This historic family-owned estate is named after its founder Cesare Pio, who established the business in 1881. The winery is based in Alba, in the heart of Piemonte and is now run by Federica Boffa and Cesare Benvenuto, the fifth generation of the family. Pio Cesare developed Barolo’s reputation overseas in the 1950s by being one of the first producers to export the wine to the UK. The founder’s great grandson Pio Boffa was deeply convinced of the importance of cultivating and growing owned land to produce high quality wines and played a key role in the acquisition of vineyards in the same locations where Cesare Pio used to buy his grapes from. Today Pio Cesare owns 80 ha in several premium hill-side positions, selected for the exposure, soil composition and microclimate, in different villages primarily in the Barolo and the Barbaresco Region. In the hills of Barolo and Barbaresco Pio Cesare makes wines in a style that manages to balance the best of the old with the best of the new. The estate includes most of the municipalities in the Barolo and Barbaresco areas.
The Pio Cesare family owns a total 30 ha in the Barolo region covering 5 different communes: Serralunga d’Alba (Ornato, Serra, Briccolina, Lirano and Colombaro), Monforte d’Alba (Mosconi), Grinzane Cavour (Gustava and Garretti), La Morra (Roncaglie), Novello (Ravera). Ornato, located in the village of Serralunga d’Alba, it was the very first vineyard acquired by 4th generation Pio Boffa, in 1979. The 6.6 ha of vineyard are located at approx. 380 mt above see level with south east, south and south west exposure. Ornato is a large amphitheater, exposed to the sun from early morning to late afternoon. Soil composition: mainly limestone and clay with a small proportion of sand. Average age of the vines: 30 years. Number of plants per hectar: 4800 Yields: 60 tons per ha. Ornato produces wines of great structure, austerity and longevity. Due to the vineyard aspect Ornato is usually the very first vineyard to be harvested. First vintage produced: 1985
This is a single-vineyard Barolo from very ripe grapes of three different plots of the famous Pio Cesare family’s Ornato Estate in Serralunga d’Alba, one of the top vineyards in the whole Barolo area. It is fermented in stainless steel with skin contact for 15 days and aged in mid-toasted French oak botti for 36 months, with a small quantity aged in barriques for the first 12 months.
The 2020 vintage joins a series of exceptional years, exhibiting great poise and seductive fruit concentration, with promising ageing potential. Winter began with mild, dry conditions, aside from notable early and widespread snowfalls in November 2019. The vegetative cycle started prematurely, fueled by the sun-drenched months of March and April. However, an unstable May, marked by cooler temperatures and abundant rainfall, slowed grape ripening and facilitated crucial soil moisture accumulation. Warm summer temperatures, peaking above 30°C in late July and early August, were balanced by regular water storms, sustaining vine hydration. September and early October followed with sunny, mild weather, allowing gradual grape ripening.
“This is very focused with lots of ripe tannins in the centre palate. Very velvety and fine-textured with a pointed character. Medium to full body. Aromas of plums and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg to the fruit. Bitter citrus. Chewy at the end. Taut muscles. Sophisticated. Needs four or five years to come around. Best after 2030.” (James Suckling)
Serve with red meat dishes, game or seasonal truffle, mature cheeses.
Serve at 16-18°C.
98 points James Suckling
“This is very focused with lots of ripe tannins in the centre palate. Very velvety and fine-textured with a pointed character. Medium to full body. Aromas of plums and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg to the fruit. Bitter citrus. Chewy at the end. Taut muscles. Sophisticated. Needs four or five years to come around. Best after 2030.
96 points Decanter, Aldo Fiorelli
“Ornato has been the Pio Cesare estate’s cru since 1985. In 2020, the grapes were harvested on 5 October, after the heavy rainfall. Mineral and smoky, with intense violet notes alongside cherry kernel and rhubarb, it’s full of graphite flavour and almost zestiness on the palate, supported by tight-knit tannins. Polished and thick on the finish.”
95 points Wine Spectator, Bruce Sanderson
“This is firm and tightly wound, with thick, refined tannins setting the stage for cherry, eucalyptus, tobacco and iron flavors, while dusty, mouthcoating tannins infuse the finish. Patience required for the fruit to emerge”
95 points Wine Enthusiast, Cellar Selection
This Barolo from the Ornato vineyard offers enticing aromas of ripe black cherry, cinnamonspiced, cake, candied blood orange zest, and a hint of fresh bay leaf. The palate is exceptionally well-balanced, with a precise, linear structure that showcases flavors of juicy blackberry, dark chocolate, and a touch of vanilla. The wine’s impressive length and depth are evident in the long, satisfying finish.
16 points Walter Speller
Serralunga d’Alba. Just mid ruby. Savoury cherry laced with oak and a hint of iron. Youthful sour cherry and bags of grainy tannins that take overfrom the fruit on the finish. Further bottle age will help. (WS) Drink 2026–2036
Barolo DOCG, Piemonte
100% Nebbiolo
Natural Cork
Yes
Yes
